Kalinga Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar

Kalinga Mahotsav is one of the most popular festivals of Orissa. The festival usually takes place in the first half of February in Dhauli, in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. It is a two day long festival that takes place annually having immense religious significance for the people of Orissa.

The festival aims at encouraging people give up violence and follow the path of peace. Organized by Art Vision, in collaboration with Orissa Tourism and Nalco, it actually salutes the benevolent act of the Emperor Ashoka, who after seeing the gruesome killing up the sword and embraced Buddhism.

The famous Vishwa Shanti Stupa, also called the Peace Pagoda, is chosen as the venue of the Kalinga Mahotsav. It is the same place that actually transformed Chandashoka to Dharmashoka.

Kalinga Festival is also called the National Festival of Martial Dance. There are plenty of martial dancers who assemble from various parts of India to take part in the festival. The entire place looks spectacular as the air here dances with the graceful movements of the artists. The trained martial dancers come out with applaudable performaces. Thang Ta of Manipur, Kalaripayattu of Kerala and Chhow and Paika of Orissa simply bridge the gap between various regions and celebrate the spirit of diversity.